Blacksad


Creators: Juan Diaz Canales (writer), Juanjo Guarnido (illustrator)

Publisher: Milwaukie, Or.: Dark Horse, 2010.

Series: Blacksad, 1-3

If you’re looking to return to the classic stylings of the hard-boiled detective, John Blacksad is your cat-man. Channelling the spirit of Philip Marlowe and Sam Spade, of ‘The Maltese Falcon’, Blacksad solves cases with his keen mind but isn’t afraid to throw his weight around if he needs to. Donning the classic look, trench coat over a well-tailored suit, Blacksad more than looks the part. So, get over the fact that he’s a cat and keep reading.

Set in 1950’s America, John Blacksad tackles three cases that wouldn’t be out of place in the classic novels of the period. One mystery has him investigating the death of a woman he loved. Another has him fighting against white supremacists. The third has him caught up in nuclear secrets and the Red Scare. He takes them all on, gets himself hurt for it, and keeps on coming.

With Canales’ atmospheric and suspenseful plot and Guarnido’s lavish and detailed illustrations, this book is truly a work of art. They’ve been crafting ‘Blacksad’ stories for the past two decades now in their native Spanish, and fortunately their efforts have been translated for us to enjoy, so do so.

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